How to look great on a cruise

All weather outerwear

Whether you’re headed for warmer or cooler climes, a good, waterproof jacket is essential for days on shore, or for taking a brisk, breezy, salty walk round the decks when you’re at sea. It may be a light layer you can fit in a backpack, but if you’re somewhere cold, you’ll need a cosy all-weather jacket.

Ski jackets, and cosy Puffa jackets, are good for the Arctic Circle and Norway. You can hire outerwear from John Lewis Rental, or buy at lower prices from Mountain Warehouse or TK Maxx (great for skiwear). You might like to consider waterproof trousers that fold up into a small pack, or ski pants. Save space in your suitcase by wearing this jacket for embarkation if you’re leaving rainy, grey Blighty in winter months.

Stepping out

Days out call for comfy shoes. Trainers are practical and stylish. If you’re promising yourself that you’ll hit the gym, can you use the same trainers? If not, you’ll need to pack performance trainers, too. For cooler climates, and if you're going on strenuous excursions, take hiking boots, or your favourite comfy footwear. My Blundstone boots stood me in good stead around European cities, visiting art galleries in January. Make sure you’ve worn in your footwear, and don’t forget slides or flip flops for those lovely lazy days by the pool.

Daytime glamour

Flattering swimwear and a pretty cover-up are essential. I’m a fan of ruching on a swimsuit, as it conceals the tummy area and means you don’t have to worry about enjoying the delicious food on board.

Experiment with print, stripes or a bold bright red or hot pink. Try panache-lingerie.com for swimwear to suit all sizes up to 40HH. They also do lovely cover-ups. Look out for the white broderie anglaise – great over a plain swimsuit. I also love Boden and have two of their one-piece swimsuits. The cuts and styles are vibrant, fun, and super-flattering.

A good backpack

An excellent practical backpack is a must-have for days out. Troubadour is top of the range, with comfortable straps, lots of pockets, and plenty of room for waterproofs and the bottle of water you’re handed as you head out for the day. At a lower price point, Uniqlo is a great destination for useful, affordable shoulder bags in a variety of fabrics.

I once carried a basket I’d bought on a trip to Morocco. It looked great, but gave me back pain, whereas a rucksack distributes the weight evenly.

Go anywhere jeans

Take a great pair of jeans with you. To find the best fit, go to M&S and find the most figure-flattering pair. They have everything from mid-rise, high-rise, low-rise, wide-legged dark denim (very chic), to the latest ‘barrel’ or ‘horseshoe’ cuts, classic boyfriend jeans, flares and palazzo styles. There really is something for everyone. If you’re buying stretch denim, go a size down.

For sustainable shopping, visit Baukjen.com. I love their denim – the styles are wearable, classic and good quality. Wear your jeans with bright knitwear, or a comfy sweatshirt with a striped shirt underneath.

Nightwear

Your white fluffy towelling robe and spa slippers await (and just looking at them makes you feel instantly relaxed). If you fancy enjoying breakfast on your balcony, you’ll need stylish PJs. A piped trim is always luxurious, and pure cotton will keep you comfortable at night. The White Company has a great navy pair. I have a penchant for leaving the sliding door to the balcony open at night to breathe in the sea air, the sound of the waves lulling me to sleep. (Remember to set the air conditioning to neutral.) My travelling companions all agreed that made for the best night’s sleep.

A great pair of black trousers

…will work hard for you. On the last cruise I joined, I noted three different types. Mine were tuxedo trousers from Monsoon, fellow cruisers Fiona and Joan wore peach-soft jersey with elasticated waist from ninepine.co.uk, and stretch velvet from Zara, respectively. These styles could be worn in the evening with different tops or blouses. I wore mine with a Rixo London pussy-bow blouse while Fiona paired hers with an emerald green silk Jigsaw top, and Joan opted for relaxed glamour with a fine knit. Fiona says, ‘Mine dried super-fast so if you can’t be bothered with the launderette just give them a quick wash and hang on the line in your shower.’

The wow-factor dress

One or two show-stopping dresses are essential for posing for photographs on those sweeping staircases and swishing round the dance floor. For something extra special, you could think about hiring a dress. It can work out cheaper than buying something new that you won’t wear when you get back on terra firma. Try Selfridges Rental, or John Lewis Rental – both have gorgeous designer styles in all sizes. John Lewis also has cheaper lines available, for example Queens of Archive, Nobody’s Child, Karen Millen, LK Bennett and Jigsaw.

Kimono cool

A beautiful kimono, either short or long, is a gorgeous evening option. Try onehundredstars.co.uk which has a wonderful selection. Wear it with a camisole and black trousers for effortless style. It can also be worn over a swimsuit by the pool, or for sightseeing with jeans and a white T-shirt.

Trawl through your wardrobe

You don't have to buy lots of new clothes to look great on a cruise. I always go through my wardrobe and put together outfits from clothes I already own. I might treat myself to a couple of new items, but no more. Just be yourself. There are no real style rules – some of the most interesting dressers I've seen on cruises did their own thing and stood out from the crowd. When it comes to dressing up, you can go for all-out glamour, or be more relaxed in clothes you feel comfortable in.

Accessories

• A pashmina or soft wool or cashmere scarf is perfect for draping around your shoulders on cool evenings while you enjoy a glass of wine on your balcony, pre-dinner.
• A gorgeous embellished clutch bag for evening is an essential and one that will hold your mobile. So many pretty vintage ones aren’t big enough.
• Pack all jewellery into your evening clutch bag when travelling so it doesn’t get lost. Take sparkly earrings for instant evening glamour – perhaps as part of a set with a bracelet and necklace.
• For daytime I found it fun to wear a navy wool sailor’s cap like the one Timothée Chalamet wears to play Bob Dylan in the film A Complete Unknown, paired with a striped top. A few American passengers said it was ‘cute’, so I’ll take that!
• For the Arctic Circle, a From Russia With Love faux fur hat will do the trick. Pair with shades for Bond Girl chic. For sunny destinations, you'll need a straw fedora, a wide brimmed hat or a sporty cap.

A statement skirt

A gorgeous satin maxi skirt will turn heads at black-tie dinners, and look gorgeous floating around the dance floor. You’ll find a beautiful gold option by Alberta Ferretti on Farfetch.com, or cheaper versions at Coast and chicwish.com. Slip or tulle skirts are lovely for evenings on board.

Sheer or opaque?

The fashion set wear opaques (and even bold bright colours) with dresses in the evening. Yes, even with open-toed sandals. Sheers look elegant if you’re wearing a chic black dress, with slingback kitten heels from M&S.

Wear and wear again

There are washing and drying facilities on board, so you can pack less and wear favourite items a few times.

Layering

Below zero temperatures call for layering. Damart’s thermolactyl layers have pretty lace trims, while M&S do a great thermal body in black.